RIVERSIDE, Calif, August 31, 2026 – Royal Collision urges Riverside drivers to request a written, itemized breakdown of labor, parts, materials, and warranty coverage before approving any repair estimate. The Riverside-based collision repair shop, which also serves Moreno Valley, Corona, and Jurupa Valley, said itemized estimates help customers understand their auto body repair costs and compare quotes accurately after an accident.
National Repair Costs Continue to Climb
According to CCC Intelligent Solutions’ Crash Course report, the average total cost of repair finished 2024 at over $4,730 nationally, up 3.8% from the prior year. Rising parts and labor pricing has made drivers more likely to review multiple quotes before authorizing repairs. Industry analysts also point to a growing share of repairs that include diagnostic scanning and calibration for driver-assistance systems on newer vehicles as a factor in rising totals. The shop said a cheap auto body repair estimate that omits line items can hide costs that surface only after work begins.
What an Itemized Estimate Should Include
Royal Collision structures every repair plan around four categories: labor, parts, materials, and warranty. Labor is billed by department, covering body, refinishing, mechanical, and frame work, while parts and materials, including paint, primer, and adhesives, appear as their own line items. Shop supplies and environmental fees are also listed separately rather than folded into labor or parts. The shop said separating these categories allows customers to see which charges apply to their specific vehicle rather than reviewing a single bundled total.
Parts Choice and the Right to Choose a Repair Shop
Parts selection, including the choice between OEM vs aftermarket parts, is one of the largest factors in a final estimate, the shop said, and it works directly with insurers to pursue OEM parts and manufacturer-recommended procedures on the claims it handles. California Insurance Code Section 758.5 also gives drivers the right to choose their own repair shop rather than one recommended by an insurer, and the shop said it prioritizes the customer's interests throughout the claims process rather than the insurer's.
"Insurance customers deserve to see exactly what they are paying for before any repair begins," said Ryan Oeftering, owner of Royal Collision. "A written, itemized estimate protects the customer and holds the shop accountable for quality auto body repair from start to finish."
How the Repair Process Documents Every Step
The company's repair process begins with disassembly and a pre-repair diagnostic scan to identify hidden damage before a repair plan is written. The plan, along with supporting documentation and photos, is then submitted to the customer and the insurer at the same time, a sequence Oeftering said keeps line items accurate rather than estimated at intake. A post-repair scan and, when applicable, calibration coordinated with an outside specialist follow before delivery back to the customer.
Warranty Terms Should Also Appear in Writing
Royal Collision said warranty terms should also appear in writing on every estimate. The shop backs its own completed repairs with a Limited Lifetime Warranty on labor and paint, while replacement parts carry the manufacturer's warranty. Drivers researching the best collision repair that Riverside, CA has to offer are encouraged to confirm warranty terms, parts type, and line-item pricing before signing off on any repair plan.
Request an Itemized Auto Body Repair Cost Estimate
Riverside drivers are encouraged to request a written, itemized collision repair cost estimate before authorizing any repair. Contact Royal Collision at (951) 276-4421 or ryan@royalcollisionriverside.com to compare quotes and confirm warranty terms in writing before work begins.
About Royal Collision
Royal Collision is a locally owned collision repair shop in Riverside, California. Founded in 2015, the shop is led by second-generation technician Ryan Oeftering, who has 15 years in the collision repair industry; his father, with 55 years of experience, still works in the shop. They hold no Direct Repair Program agreements with any insurer and offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty on repairs and paint, reflecting its focus on quality auto body repair for as long as a customer owns the vehicle.
Media Contact
Ryan Oeftering
Owner, Royal Collision
1260 Dodson Way
Riverside, CA 92507
Phone: (951) 276-4421
Email: ryan@royalcollisionriverside.com
Website: https://royalcollisionriverside.com/
